RuneScape, the popular MMORPG created by the cute British company Jagex, has received its Fresh start worlds today, allowing players to start the game with a clean slate, with a rebooted economy and all the unique quirks that this aspect brings. Old-school RuneScape players won't have to wait long either, as Fresh Start Worlds for that game will also be arriving soon on October 19th.
Reasons to create a new character again? These Fresh Start Worlds offer unique cosmetic rewards including cloaks, haloes, and other chic gear. Characters and loot earned in these Fresh Start Worlds will be transferred to the main world with all their items for a limited time. Great news for those who have taken the time, but also cause for some concern. We will touch on this later.
To access these Fresh Start Worlds, players will need to create a brand new account and purchase a fresh membership in accordance with official support site. It's not a burden for new players to use these new servers as an opportunity to level up with others, but for existing RuneScape fans it will mean having to pay for a second subscription along with their existing account.
After joining the game, accelerated XP and game bonuses will be available to you to push you towards the content you want to prioritize. You'll also want to develop a game plan, as along with Fresh Start Worlds there's a brand new High Scoreboard that will allow the most dedicated players to earn exclusive rewards.
But let's digress and think about the wider implications for RuneScape as a result of these servers. I love fresh servers. They recently brought me back to classic WoW and I believe they are giving players a chance to return or experience for the first time the long-running live service game they feel they missed out on. However, some of the subtleties of RuneScape make me scratch my head.
First of all, it's worth noting that the brand new economy and Grand Exchange can be both a blessing and a curse, thanks in large part to the ability for characters to move to the main worlds. On fresh servers, prices are usually high simply due to economic supply and demand. If you are one of the few players on the server who can purchase great end-game gear, you can sell it at an inflated price.
It's entirely possible that money players will use the fresh servers to get to certain key pieces of content, farm for elite gear, sell it for high prices, and then sit on that newfound wealth until they are moved to the main servers. Or they may come with an inventory full of valuable items, causing an explosion in supply and lowering regular prices.
Also, it's hard not to feel heartache for these existing players who want to join the game but have to sign up for a new subscription. Of course, new content costs money, and there's nothing wrong with charging for new servers. However, three months of real money for a world that is doomed to be folded back into the mainstream? Personally, I don't like something about it.
It also raises the question of who the fresh servers are for. In my opinion, and according to Fresh World FAQFresh servers and the new economy they create are a boon for greenies who want to try out the game while markets and players are still unsettled and experience a vibrant world. However, high score tables, transferable exclusive cosmetics (many of which are likely to be tradeable) all play into the hands of already invested players. There seems to be a lot of temptation for older players to jump into the game, which is certainly good for Jagex, but potentially dangerous for their wallets and the in-game wallets of much of the community.
So, the idea seems funny, but there are some subtleties in it that haunt. What impact this will have on the wider RuneScape experience and economy, the community will have to wait and see. Either way, now is probably the time to jump into RuneScape if you haven't already, and if you've got spare cash, this could be a great way to earn some sweet money if you're already deep into an MMO.
But what do you think? Are these fears too dramatic? Or are you really concerned about the implications of moving Fresh Server characters? Let us know about it below!
